Michael Joseph Wynne Sr., age 99 of Lansdale PA passed away Thursday November 12, 2020. He was a great father, loving husband, heroic Marine (recipient of the Silver Star and two purple hearts) who died peacefully at home after a long battle with Father Time.
Born and raised in Centralia, Pennsylvania, Mike and his wife, Julia, moved to Philadelphia and then eventually settled in Lansdale for the last 55 years. A Sears employee for 27 years he was a renowned appliance repairman and kept, much to his wife’s chagrin, many spare washer and dryer parts in the house.
A devout Catholic, he attended and ushered Mass at Saint Stanislaus church in Lansdale, from 1963 until his legs no longer permitted in 2017. Monday night Novena was a weekly service for him and Julia. Until his last days every morning and evening he would kneel at his bedside and pray; the knees surrendered but he never did.
An outstanding and loving father of seven wonderful children: Mary Anne Mattero (Joseph), Michael Jr. aka Mickey, John (Mary Alice), Francis (Patricia), Clare Wetzel (Wayne), Kevin and Timothy. He equally loved his in-laws, Sally Wynne, Susan Hendrzak and Amanda Trackim. Among the many things he left them was his wry sense of humor.
Mike Wynne was preceded to his eternal rest by his wife, Julia (nee Collins), all 5 of his siblings, two Sons-in-Laws, Joseph Mattero Jr., and Karl Wagonhoffer Jr. And he endured the passing of two grandchildren, Joe and Peter Mattero. In addition to his children, Mike is survived by 24 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren with two on the way. Of course, his favorite grandchild was his neighbor Kelly Wynne.
The longest serving member of the Centralia VFW (76 years) he was honored, in July 2020, on his 99th birthday, for his service to his country with a parade in Gordon, Pa. He was the oldest member of the
Lansdale Cannoneers Sportsmans Club and immensely enjoyed a visit to the club after Mass on Saturday night, where everyone saluted him and thanked him for his service. He will be dearly missed by the club members.
The quintessential quiet man, Mike Wynne was not big on words. A few hand gestures usually told his family what he was thinking. He liked Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Don’t Fence Me In, was his anthem. A simple man, Mike liked rocking on the back porch swing, playing horseshoes, watching the sunset, sipping a beer and listening to his beloved Phillies on the radio. He was an avid hunter his entire life, even though he never shot a deer. He never wore shorts, always bolo ties and had a slew of hats.
Mike Wynne was a force for change, money that is. Throughout the house he kept cans, jars, socks and cigar boxes filled with coins. It was a running joke with all the kids. He always had change for a card game.
He loved playing cards with his grandkids. Pass The Ace, a simple one card game was a tradition at every holiday gathering. A game of elimination, tears and laughter always ensued as the game whittled down to the last two contestants. Eventually, Pop consoled the crying loser and encouraged the happy winner to share the whopping $3 prize with their cousins.
It wasn’t just a game that he taught the family, it was a life lesson: Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. That’s the way Mike Wynne was, kind and gentle.
Until we meet again Mike, Semper Fi, ya old jarhead.
In light of the current Covid epidemic, the family will be accepting online condolences.
Visitation will be held from 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM, on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at St. Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, Pa. Mr. Wynne’s Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:30 PM. Interment private.
The funeral mass will be live-streamed on Zoom
Here is the link:
https://gmercyu.zoom.us/j/92606045108?pwd=WmJvMHlyN2YzV203VUZUd09hbk41QT09
If you are using a laptop the link will take you right to the event.
If you are using a phone or pad you need to download the Zoom App.
If you have any trouble connecting directly to the link here is the meeting # and password.
Meeting ID : 926 0604 5108
Passcode: 281688
Donations may be made to St Stanislaus Parish Social Ministry, and sent to our Parish Office at 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, PA 19446. We use donations to help those in need of rent and utility assistance in our Lansdale area.